‘The Amazing Race’ Season 26 Recap: 'Great Way To Start A Relationship' And 'I Got The Smartest Dude' Episodes Feature Dating Couples Including NKOTB's Jonathan Knight [WATCH VIDEOS]

'The Amazing Race' Host Phil Keoghan — Phil Keoghan, co-executive producer and host of "The Amazing Race" holds the award for outstanding reality competition show at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles September 23, 2012. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

"The Amazing Race," or "TAR" Season 26 aired its first episode titled "Great Way to Start a Relationship" on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. On Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, it aired the second episode titled “I Got the Smartest Dude.” “TAR” Season 6 features several dating couples. Some of these couples have been dating for a long time including New Kids on the Block, or “NKOTB” member Jonathan Knight and his boyfriend actor Harley Rodriguez. Knight and Rodriguez have been in a relationship for seven years. The other contestants were paired up as part of the show’s new twist this season: Blind Dates. Read on for "The Amazing Race" Season 26 recap of episodes 1 and 2 to find out what else happened to these couples.

Leg 1 (United States → Japan)

In Leg 1 of "The Amazing Race" Season 26, the 11 competing teams all met at Castaic Lake in California to start the ultimate race around the world. Six of the couples already know each other and have been dating for quite some time. Meanwhile, ten singles were paired with each other as blind dates.

Dating Couples

Lebya “Libby” Simpson and CJ Harris
Jeff Magee and Lyda Grawn
Matt Cucolo and Ashley Gordon
Aly Dudek and Steven Langton
Harley Rodriguez and Jonathan Knight
Mike Dombrowski and Rochelle Nevedal

Blind Dates

Blair Townsend and Hayley Keel
Jeffrey Weldon and Jackie Ibarra
Jelani Roy and Jenny Wu
Tyler Adams and Laura Pierson
Bergen Olson and Kurt Jordan Belcher

The teams had to get plane tickets to Tokyo, Japan by going through an obstacle course that involved mud, ice-cold water and running. After getting their tickets, they all had to drive a Ford Fusion Hybrid car and head on over to the Los Angeles International Airport to catch their flights.

Leg 1 Detour: "Syncing Steps or Samurai Sake?"

a. Syncing Steps (Shinjuku Central Park): The “TAR” 26 teams had to perform a series of synchronized dance that involve making "robotic" moves along with members of the group World Order. If they correctly perform the said dance, they will get the next clue from World Order leader Genki Sudo.

b. Samurai Sake (Nakano Sakaue Station Tavern): The “TAR” 26 teams had to memorise the names and images of ten bottles of sake. Then, they will take one order of sake from a table of “Samurais.” If they bring the correct bottle, they will be given the next clue.

After the Detour, the couples had to proceed to the Wakaba Higashi Park. They saw the Blind U-Turn board there and their next clue. Unfortunately, Jeff and Lyda were chosen by Mike and Rochelle for the Blind U-Turn. They needed to go to the Akihabara district and look for the UDX building. Jeff and Lyda looked for a parking space that contained the Pit Stop. But they were too late already. “TAR” 26 host Phil Keoghan told Jeff Magee and Lyda Grawn that they have been eliminated from the race.

Check out the placement of the 11 competing teams of "TAR" Season 26 for Leg 1 (United States → Japan)

1. Jelani Roy and Jenny Wu (Prize: Express Pass. This enables a team to skip one task that they don't want to do.)

2. Jeffrey Weldon and Jackie

3. Ibarra Tyler Adams and Laura Pierson

4. Aly Dudek and Steven Langton

5. Harley Rodriguez and Jonathan Knight

6. Bergen Olson and Kurt Jordan Belcher

7. Mike Dombrowski and Rochelle Nevedal

8. Blair Townsend and Hayley Keel

9. Matt Cucolo and Ashley Gordon

10. Lebya “Libby” Simpson and CJ Harris

11. Jeff Magee and Lyda Grawn (eliminated)

Leg 2 (Japan)

The remaining teams that are still part of the race took a bullet train to the Nagano Station. They proceeded to the Matsushiro Castle for their next clue. It was about the next Roadblock.

Leg 2 Roadblock: "Who can think outside of the box?" One team member had to solve the yosegi, which is a traditional Japanese puzzle box. It had a password in it that they needed to mention to the guards in the Matsushiro Castle. If they are successful, they will be given their next clue. One of the clue envelopes had a “Date Night” reward which can be used by couples at the Pit Stop. Jonathan and Harley were able to pick that special reward. The won a trip to a Japanese hot spring. After the roadblock, the teams had to search the Zenkō-ji Buddhist Temple for their next clue. It was for a Blind Detour.

Leg 2 Blind Detour: “Share or Chair?”

a. Share (Takesan Donabe Restaurant): The couples had to feed each other a bowl of noodles. They were only allowed to use a pair of chopsticks for the noodles. They also had to sit in front of a large fan. If they are able to finish eating the noodles, the waiter will give them their next clue.

b. Chair (M-Wave Olympic Arena): One team member sat on a chair that was perched on a sled. His or her teammate must push the chair around the speed skating track. They had to switch places after one lap. This task should be completed within 3 minutes and 55 seconds so that the teams could get their next clue.

Leg 2 Pit Stop: Patio Daimon

Jelani and Jenny proved to be a strong couple, despite the fact that they barely know each other. The same goes for Laura and Tyler. As for Olympians Aly and Steven, they have shown that they are also a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, Libby and CJ were eliminated in this leg.

Check out the placement of the 10 competing teams of "TAR" Season 26 for Leg 2 (Japan)

1. Jelani Roy and Jenny Wu (Prize: Fitbit watches, a fitness package for each team member, a personal chef and cooking lessons. Plus, Jelani and Jenny can choose between getting a year of fresh grocery delivery or a one-year gym membership.)

2. Tyler Adams and Laura Pierson

3. Aly Dudek and Steven Langton

4. Harley Rodriguez and Jonathan Knight

5. Bergen Olson and Kurt Jordan Belcher

6. Jeffrey Weldon and Jackie Ibarra

7. Matt Cucolo and Ashley Gordon

8. Mike Dombrowski and Rochelle Nevedal

9. Blair Townsend and Hayley Keel

10. Lebya “Libby” Simpson and CJ Harris (eliminated)

The title of the first “TAR” 26 episode was taken from a line uttered by Hayley, one of the contestants in this race. The second episode’s title was spoken by both Laura and Jackie. Click here, here and here to see some photos from the first two episodes of “The Amazing Race” Season 26.

Let us know your thoughts on these episodes of “The Amazing Race” Season 26. For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at j.somosot@ibtimes.com.au.

CREDIT: YouTube/The Amazing Race

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